IMM Institute Excellence Awards 2025 finalists revealed, shining a spotlight on talent and innovation ahead of gala celebration

Experts across their relevant fields of marketing and supply chain management had a difficult task when it came down to selecting finalists for this year’s IMM Excellence Awards.

The awards are set to be presented at the IMM Institute’s Annual Gala Dinner on 7 March, which will be held at the Maslow in Sandton.

“For our awards this year, we received 57 entries from marketing and supply chain professionals across various industries, with people from those who are just starting out in their careers to those who have been in the industry for a lifetime being nominated,” says Irene Gregory, CEO of the IMM Institute.

She explained that the panel of expert judges, specialising in marketing, advertising, supply chain management, and business development, thoroughly evaluated the candidates, recognising the exceptional talent displayed by South African professionals in these fields.

“My entire team and I are looking forward, along with our guests at the dinner, to the announcement of the independently adjudicated winners,” notes Gregory.

The following professionals and teams have been shortlisted in their respective categories:

Marketing Student of the Year

Syon Roopchand

Deidré Summers

Sria Roopchand

Supply Chain Student of the Year

Rutendo Gwese

Gugu Nkala

Emerging Marketer of the Year:

Amy Cowell

Liat Madinane

Vusumuzi Radebe

Marketer of the Year:

Erné Ankiewicz

Happy Ngidi

Supply Chain Professional of the Year:

Phumzile Sokhela

Lethlohonolo Mpshe

Sinethemba Mbelu

Corporate Marketing Team of the Year:

JSE

ISB Optimus

Proudly SA

Entrepreneur of the Year:

Alisha Lalbeharie

Liziwe Nompumza

Mitheel Ramdaw

“We have a wonderful selection of talent in our country, and I look forward to seeing who will scoop honours in each category at our dinner, which offers professionals in their fields the opportunity to mingle with an array of talented people in both marketing and supply chain,” says Gregory.

In addition to the awards, the dinner offers an excellent opportunity to network, while being entertained by Simply For Entertainment. Carte Blanche’s Govan Whittles will MC the event. Award-winning marketing and media entrepreneur, Pat Mahlangu, will deliver the keynote address.